NORWALK -- Former Mayor Richard A. Moccia and his wife have moved to Ridgefield to be closer to family members.

"We moved in yesterday," Moccia said Tuesday. "We have a daughter and son-in-law here and grandkids in Danbury. I'm going to miss the (Norwalk) Republican Town Committee and people in Norwalk, but I think at my stage in life it was the right thing to do."

Moccia, a Republican who served four terms as mayor of Norwalk (2005 through 2013), informed Norwalk Republican Town Committee (RTC) members via email on Sunday of his departure from Norwalk.

He outlined the reasons why he and his wife, Barbara, had decided to move to Ridgefield and reflected upon his many years in Norwalk.

"Despite the excitement of the move and some new adventures, I would be lying if I did not say that I will miss you all and of course the city of Norwalk," Moccia wrote. "I know that I would not have had the honor of being Mayor if not for all your support and belief in me and Republican policies. I will miss you all, who were in essence my extended family."

The couple wished recipients of the email "a Merry Christmas, A Happy Hanukkah and a peaceful New Year."

In the email, the former Norwalk mayor also said he hoped that RTC members and elected officials will support the "current plan for 95/7."

General Growth Properties, Inc., has proposed a regional shopping center for the dozen-acre 95/7 site off West Avenue and Interstate 95.